Debate on Value of Library Pedestrian Bridge Dominates February Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board Meeting

While on the new Silver Spring Library continues, so too does deliberation over the necessity and value of a pedestrian bridge connecting the Wayne Avenue Garage with the main floor of the library.

The main issue on the floor for Monday evening’s Silver Spring Citizens’ Advisory Board meeting  was whether or not the Urban Renewal Plan should be amended to allow for the pedestrian bridge. A diverse group of community members attended the meeting to voice their support for the bridge for a variety of reasons, from the potential positive impact on Fenton Village businesses and accessibility for the physically challenged to simple logistics for parents.

“I am in favor of the bridge,” said Silver Spring resident Catherine Eliot, mother of two young children. “I may not patronize the [Silver Spring] library if I have to traverse so much ground to get there. I may just go to Wheaton or Longbranch” she continued.

Montgomery County Council President Valerie Ervin had initially voted against amending the Urban Renewal Plan, based on “the belief that Executive Branch staff would be able to accommodate accessible parking for disabled residents.”

In a letter dated September 23, 2010, then Council Vice President Valerie Ervin requested that the Council “reconsider constructing a pedestrian bridge for the Silver Spring Library,” a position that Ervin’s Policy Analyst Richard Romer reiterated during the meeting.

The Advisory Board took an anti-bridge position in March 2009 in a letter to County Executive Leggett and then Council President Phil Andrews, stating “we believe that building a pedestrian bridge runs counter to the goals of economic development for the area…and neglects the primary problem of pedestrian safety and access.”

Darian Unger, head of the Board’s Transportation and Pedestrian Safety committee reignited the pedestrian safety issue by again questioning whether or not the building of the bridge would lead to the County not fulfilling promises to improve the safety of the major intersection.

David Dise, director of Montgomery County’s Department of General Services replied that “I understand that the County has a less than desirable record of keeping promises, but I never make promises I can’t keep. We are going to make safety improvements for pedestrians – it’s going to happen.”

When pressed for details about the types of improvements, Dise mentioned “adjustments to signals, widening crosswalks, removing obtrusive signage and improved audio,” but promised to get back to the board with more details.

A public hearing scheduled for March 8 at 7:30 pm will give concerned citizens another opportunity to voice their opinions about the bridge.